Teen Overdose Crisis: Florida AG's Urgent Warning on Fentanyl Pills & Vapes

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In light of a troubling surge in teen drug overdoses, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody urged parents to have conversations with their children about the dangers of drug use.

“As millions of children prepare to head back to school, I’m urging parents to speak to their kids about the dangers of using drugs. While Florida leads the nation in fentanyl interdiction efforts and reports are showing an overall statewide decrease in overdose deaths, there are concerning nationwide trends involving youth overdosing and dying from substance abuse. Please emphasize the importance of never using illicit substances like counterfeit pills or illicit vapes—they could contain fentanyl, and just one pill can kill," Moody was quoted as saying in her press release from yesterday.

A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine highlights that approximately 22 teens across the nation lose their lives to drug overdoses every week—equivalent to the size of a typical high school class. Drug overdoses and poisonings have now become the third-leading cause of death among children and adolescents in the United States.

Earlier this month, Attorney General Moody expressed her concerns during a Thin Line Tribute event, where she acknowledged the efforts of school resource deputies who are on the front lines in protecting students. She issued a stern warning about the dangers of vapes and other illicit substances potentially laced with fentanyl.

"As millions of children prepare to head back to school, I'm urging parents to speak to their kids about the dangers of using drugs," said Attorney General Moody. "While Florida is leading the nation in efforts to combat fentanyl, and we're seeing a statewide decrease in overdose deaths, the national trend among youth remains alarming. It's crucial to stress the importance of never using illicit substances like counterfeit pills or vapes—they could be deadly."

The report from the New England Journal of Medicine notes that overdose deaths among 14- to 18-year-olds have more than doubled after a decade of stability, with fentanyl implicated in at least 75% of these cases. The crisis continues to escalate, with the weekly death toll reaching 22 teens nationwide.

In response, Attorney General Moody is calling on parents to engage in open and honest discussions with their children about the risks of drug use, particularly as students head back to school. In 2019, she launched the Dose of Reality Florida initiative, aimed at increasing awareness, education, and prevention efforts to combat drug misuse and save lives.

To assist parents, Moody offers these tips for encouraging open communication with their children:

• Tailor the conversation to the child's age—discussions with middle schoolers will differ from those with high school or college students.
• Emphasize the deadly risks of addiction, highlighting that just one pill can be fatal.
• Create a safe space for children to discuss these issues at home, fostering trust through open dialogue.
• Set clear rules and consequences regarding drug use.

For more information, resources, and tips, parents can visit DoseOfRealityFL.com, where additional materials, including DEA resources, communication techniques, and treatment principles for adolescents, are available.